Needle not tracking properly/skipping. Fuzzy noise coming from speakers on phono.

J

jrw5061

Member
I'm trying to set up my first TT and having some issues getting it going. I tried to align the cartridge, but I'm not sure if I did it correctly. It was difficult on this TT because the tonearm doesn't drop unless the unit is on, so it's hard to see where the stylus is at on the cartridge protractor.

When I tried to play a record there was a lot of fuzzy noise coming out of the speaker, which got worse when the record started to turn. Also the needle isn't tracking properly and would play the same loop over and over and then I saw it skip a little bit. I stopped it immediately to avoid damage (cringe). Could poor cartridge alignment be causing this problem?

I've already tried adjusting the tone arm balance. I set it for 2 grams. Do I need new red/white cables to get the fuzzy noise to stop? I am brand new to turntables so I'm not really sure how to get this player running smoothly. I would really appreciate some help.
 
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where are you located? Someone local to you might be ale to drop by and give you a crash course in setup.
 
It seems to be running ok, but every little tiny microscopic step I take in my room is causing the record to skip. Is there anything I can do so that it won't be so sensitive to my movements? I'm practically tip toeing and the record is still skipping.
 
If the tonearm won't drop unless the unit is on, the proper way to align is turn the turntable on, lower the tonearm, then unplug the unit to stop the platter spin. Then you can use the protractor.

What kind of turntable?

It sounds like severe mistracking -

Did you balance the tonearm before setting the tracking at 2 grams?

Did you clean the records and the stylus (needle)?
 
Not identifying the turntable, tonearm (if it's not built-in) and the cartridge does not help us with assisting you.

What are they?
 
cgutz said:
If the tonearm won't drop unless the unit is on, the proper way to align is turn the turntable on, lower the tonearm, then unplug the unit to stop the platter spin. Then you can use the protractor.

What kind of turntable?

It sounds like severe mistracking -

Did you balance the tonearm before setting the tracking at 2 grams?

Did you clean the records and the stylus (needle)?
Click to expand...

It is a Sansui SR-212

Yes I balanced the tonearm and set it to 0 then turned the counterweight to 2 grams.

The records, the cartridge and needle, and the belt are all brand new. The speakers are brand new too. The receiver and turntable are the only pieces that are used.
 
GP49 said:
Not identifying the turntable, tonearm (if it's not built-in) and the cartridge does not help us with assisting you.

What are they?
Click to expand...

Sorry I'm at school right now and have to go in to work in a couple of hours. I'm trying to check the forum as much as possible.
 
Did you rotate both the counterweight and the gram scale together when you set the tracking force to 2 grams? Turning only the gram scale would leave you with a tracking force near zero, which would explain the mistracking distortion and the skipping. This is a very common error among new turntable owners, so don't feel embarrassed if you committed it.
 
jrw5061 said:
I'm trying to set up my first TT and having some issues getting it going. I tried to align the cartridge, but I'm not sure if I did it correctly. It was difficult on this TT because the tonearm doesn't drop unless the unit is on, so it's hard to see where the stylus is at on the cartridge protractor.

When I tried to play a record there was a lot of fuzzy noise coming out of the speaker, which got worse when the record started to turn. Also the needle isn't tracking properly and would play the same loop over and over and then I saw it skip a little bit. I stopped it immediately to avoid damage (cringe). Could poor cartridge alignment be causing this problem?

I've already tried adjusting the tone arm balance. I set it for 2 grams. Do I need new red/white cables to get the fuzzy noise to stop? I am brand new to turntables so I'm not really sure how to get this player running smoothly. I would really appreciate some help.
Click to expand...

Have you run any other component through the speakers and receiver? Something like a CD player into the AUX plug or an mp3 player using a mini plug to RCA cable adapter? Your post said that there was a fuzzy noise coming from the speakers which got worse when you played the record. Sounds like you may have multiple issues to resolve unless the fuzzy was feedback or hum from a bad ground or other connection in the head shell or tonearm wires &c.
If the Red / White cables you mentioned are the cables coming from the turntable into the Phono Plug of your receiver, those are commonly known as RCA cables, which refer to the type of plug on the end (RCA's). (FYI) And these are known to go bad or have bad connections or were just cheap when they were first made.Many folks replace them ASAP when putting a vintage Turntable into use. May not be "that easy" depending on how they are connected into the table itself.
Welcome to the world of vintage audio !!! You may want to pick up a fairly good "tester" LP to use when you are making adjustments to your rig. That way you do not endanger any of your prized Long Players. The fella I bought my last table from demonstrated it with a copy of JOHN DAVIDSON'S Greatest Hits.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218
 
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Dr Tinear said:
Did you rotate both the counterweight and the gram scale together when you set the tracking force to 2 grams? Turning only the gram scale would leave you with a tracking force near zero, which would explain the mistracking distortion and the skipping. This is a very common error among new turntable owners, so don't feel embarrassed if you committed it.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure I balanced the tone arm correctly. I set the counterweight til the arm was floating. I then helt the weight in place and turned the gram scale to 0 and then turned the counter weight until the gram scale read 2.
 
Balifly said:
In addition to Dr. Tinear's advise, here is a short video on tone arm set up.

The turn table and headshell are not the same as yours, but similar. :music:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbsCWMh9nwY

You probably need to align the cartridge in the headshell too.
Click to expand...

I am having trouble aligning the cart using the printable protractors. I'm thinking that maybe this is the problem. I just tried using one from a different site and the alignment seems to be good so i'm going to try again and see if it is working any better. Is there any advice you can give me on aligning the cartridge?
 
asterion said:
Have you run any other component through the speakers and receiver? Something like a CD player into the AUX plug or an mp3 player using a mini plug to RCA cable adapter? Your post said that there was a fuzzy noise coming from the speakers which got worse when you played the record. Sounds like you may have multiple issues to resolve unless the fuzzy was feedback or hum from a bad ground or other connection in the head shell or tonearm wires &c.
If the Red / White cables you mentioned are the cables coming from the turntable into the Phono Plug of your receiver, those are commonly known as RCA cables, which refer to the type of plug on the end (RCA's). (FYI) And these are known to go bad or have bad connections or were just cheap when they were first made.Many folks replace them ASAP when putting a vintage Turntable into use. May not be "that easy" depending on how they are connected into the table itself.
Welcome to the world of vintage audio !!! You may want to pick up a fairly good "tester" LP to use when you are making adjustments to your rig. That way you do not endanger any of your prized Long Players. The fella I bought my last table from demonstrated it with a copy of JOHN DAVIDSON'S Greatest Hits.

http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10218
Click to expand...

Yes, I have run a RCA to 3.5 mm plug from my receiver to my computer and ipod and the speakers sounded great. When I tried it on the phono input with the turntable plugged in I am hearing a buzzing sound that gets worse when the record begins to turn. The phono stage seems like it moves around a lot. I'm wondering if it is missing some screws or something. I'm going to have to mess around with it a little bit more I think.

I was using the RCA plugs that came with the receiver I bought from the thrift store, so I was wondering if they might need replaced or something.
 
I am trying to use the Baerwald protractor to do the alignment. Am I doing this correctly? The cart should line up with both grids without moving the paper or the platter, correct? It seems that no matter where I install the cartridge on the headshell the cartridge will not line up perfectly with both of the grids. I am getting so frustrated. Does anyone have any advice on how to get this to work?
 
jrw5061 said:
I am having trouble aligning the cart using the printable protractors. I'm thinking that maybe this is the problem. I just tried using one from a different site and the alignment seems to be good so i'm going to try again and see if it is working any better. Is there any advice you can give me on aligning the cartridge?
Click to expand...

There is a simple method used by the manufacturer.

Set the distance of 53mm -from the tip of the stylus to the washer at the back of the headshell.

Picture below is for a Yamaha.

If you do not like that method, try using the Stevenson protractor.
 

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Balifly said:
There is a simple method used by the manufacturer.

Set the distance of 53mm -from the tip of the stylus to the washer at the back of the headshell.

Picture below is for a Yamaha.

If you do not like that method, try using the Stevenson protractor.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure that I understand. Do you just use a ruler to measure or something. The owners manual says that the correct overhang for this turntable is 10 mm or 3/8 of an inch. I'm not exactly sure what that means.

I have to run out the door to go to work unfortunately :tears: I may be able to check back here on my phone or when I get home at 11:30.

Thanks for the help everyone!
 
jrw5061 said:
Yes, I have run a RCA to 3.5 mm plug from my receiver to my computer and ipod and the speakers sounded great. When I tried it on the phono input with the turntable plugged in I am hearing a buzzing sound that gets worse when the record begins to turn. The phono stage seems like it moves around a lot. I'm wondering if it is missing some screws or something. I'm going to have to mess around with it a little bit more I think.

I was using the RCA plugs that came with the receiver I bought from the thrift store, so I was wondering if they might need replaced or something.
Click to expand...

Sounds to me like you are drilling down on it and will solve the problem.Soon you will be an old pro and giving advice out to others, as experience is the best teacher, and the folks on here will make sure you are spinning vinyl in "RECORD" time ..okay cheesy I know.... It is a shame that things like work get in the way of spinning long players.
Use the easy method that balifly provided. With the head shell installed measure with your handy dandy ruler from the o ring to the needle tip use the MM it so much easier, but be careful with that tip and cantilever. I use that method on my Pioneer PL41 every time to check the overhang.... I learned it right here on AudioKarma.com. If desired and necessary you can further dial it in with all those protractors &c. as with all things opinions differ and many folks would say forget the overhang and just use your Baerwald alignment and that's all you need.
Once you get it all dialed in not only will you have the enjoyment gleaned from spinning vinyl ( it's about the music you see) but also the personal satisfaction obtained from a job well done.:thmbsp:

Good luck to you.
 
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jrw5061 said:
... The phono stage seems like it moves around a lot. I'm wondering if it is missing some screws or something. ...
I was using the RCA plugs that came with the receiver I bought from the thrift store, so I was wondering if they might need replaced or something.
Click to expand...

This. ^^ could be important. Loose Phono input on a thrift store Receiver.
You might need to unplug the Receiver and take the lid off to secure it.
You need secure connections for it all to work right.
Is there an earthing wire on the TT you have overlooked ?

The bouncy bouncing does indicate a lack of weight. Review that again. You could try putting just a little weight on top of the headshell to see if it changes things. Use modelling clay, plasticene, blu tac, etc
What flooring do you have ?

Try to set some time aside so you can be calm with the project instead of trying to do it while you're rushing past.

Try the 53mm suggested by 'Balifly'. I use this 'overhang' method too. Works fine and is right when checked with a little thing from Ortofon I got from Ebay. I think you have to turn the platter with the protractor on it.

Do one thing at a time.
 
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